Gov. Jon S. Corzine's re-election campaign began running radio commercials today in which the Democratic governor talks about his $29.8 billion budget proposal.

The one-minute ads, airing on stations in the tri-state area, do not mention the governor's re-election campaign or his opponents.

The governor is heard saying New Jersey was the first state with a plan to respond to the global recession.

This is the Democratic governor's first media buy of the re-election campaign.

Conservative Republican Steve Lonegan has been spending about $26,000 a week on radio ads since late January. Christopher Christie's campaign says the Republican candidate hasn't bought any radio spots yet.

Meanwhile, New Jersey's Legislative Black Caucus is set to outline what it believes should be the state's funding priorities for the coming fiscal year.

The caucus wants to make sure funds continue for programs affecting residents of the cities and people of color.

Today's address by Sen. Ronald Rice (D-Newark) comes less than a week after Gov. Jon S. Corzine presented a $29.8 billion budget to the Legislature.

The budget cuts rebates to residents making more than $75,000 a year, but increases funding for education and keeps in place funding for anti-foreclosure programs and food pantry assistance.

The budget also includes $25 million to expand preschools in poor school districts.